State Representative Ray Hull (D - District 6: Providence, North Providence) criticized mayoral candidate Bret Smiley today for withdrawing from the race to become the Democratic candidate for mayor of Providence.

Hull, who served as Co-Chair of the Smiley campaign stated, “I feel betrayed. The Smiley campaign asked me to join their organization and I agreed believing he’s stick it out to the end. Instead, he realizes he can’t win and he withdraws.”Hull, who at one point considered running for the mayor himself, said “Smiley has shown himself to be just another back room dealing politician who maneuvers and schemes to take care of his own interests. He should be ashamed of himself!”Hull said he would now reexamine his options now that Smiley has withdrawn. “I’m going to look at the candidates, their experience, and decide who to support. I want a candidate who is passionate about the future of the city.”